Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

This fight is for everything.

I know this must be bad for Joe Biden, I just don’t know how.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

Innocent people don’t delay justice.

Thanks for reminding me that Van Jones needs to be slapped.

In short, I come down firmly on all sides of the issue.

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

After roe, women are no longer free.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

We still have time to mess this up!

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

A lot of Dems talk about what the media tells them to talk about. Not helpful.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Cat Blogging / Early Morning Open Thread: Say Cheese, Cat

Early Morning Open Thread: Say Cheese, Cat

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From commentor Jayboat:

In the spring and fall I always keep my windows open here in south Florida. About 4 years ago, I was banging dishes in the kitchen as I made coffee when I heard a squeaking from outside the window. I looked out and saw a pathetic little black and white furball standing in the parking lot, looking at me. He looked to be about 8-10 weeks old but it was hard to tell because he was so skinny — his ribs were showing and he was covered in grease and oil from hanging out under cars — really filthy, and it showed on the white areas of his fur. He didn’t meow — he squeaked — a high pitched, sad little sound that is the only sound I’ve ever heard him make.
__
It had been years since I’d had a cat — I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready, that I was still grieving over the loss of my buddy, Rocket, which felt like only last week, and still does. Anyway, having no cat food in the house, I ripped up a couple pieces of sandwich meat and threw it in his general direction after he made it clear he wouldn’t let me get anywhere near him.
__
This dance continued for a week — every morning he would come running across the parking lot when he heard me in the kitchen and squeak at me, and I would respond with shredded ham. Finally, on a trip to the grocery store, I decided to get a bag of dry food. I knew I was crossing a line here, that this was a point of no return in this relationship. I began to set out a bowl of food and water each morning, then I started leaving the door open and gradually moved the bowls until they were inside. This took weeks — he was so skittish and scared of people and noises — anything that moved that he would totally freak out. When we finally made friends I discovered his tail was broken at the end — it has a little hook in it and is missing the tip. He is skittish to this day — will run and hide if anyone even walks through the yard. It took three years before he would let me hold him without tensing up. I can only imagine what he went through as a kitten. Not any more — he runs the house, mostly from a sleeping position. Because he was so greasy when we met, I named him Cheeseburger, but he answers to Mister Cheese.

Reader Interactions

46Comments

  1. 1.

    Moses2317

    What a sweet looking cat – especially the black spot on its chin. I used to have one that looked quite similar, named Raven (which I know is a fairly odd thing for a Steelers fan to name a pet).

    Paul Krugman has a good column in today’s NYT regarding the role of Fox “News” and the rest of the conservative media in politically and financially supporting Republican candidates.

    And here is my comment about how we need to overcome the conservative media by using grassroots organizing and online advocacy to take our message directly to the American people.


    Winning Progressive

  2. 2.

    Comrade Mary

    I CAN HAZ … aww, forget it.

    What a gorgeous cat, and so smart to finagle himself such a good home.

  3. 3.

    Susan Kitchens

    Jayboat–OHAI! You can haz Cheeseburger! For realz. KTHXBAI.

    (I couldn’t resist. But srsly, did you know about I can haz cheeseburger and lol cats before you gave this fellow that name?)

    Caption contest:

    Photo 1: I iz practicing 2 B Ceiling Cat.

    Photo 2: Want 2 B Keyboard Cat. Play me out, kitteh.

    Photo 3: Teh Kitteh Living it iz Srs bizness.

  6. 6.

    morzer

    Truly a noble beast, and clearly lucky to find such a good home.

    Moving to a different kind of beast, Larry Kudlow is clearly off his meds, which I assume are administered using an elephant gun:

    Am I the only one who saw weakness when President Obama and his departing chief of staff Rahm Emanuel gave each other big, fat, full-bore hug following their speeches at the resignation event in the White House’s East Room on Friday? Remember, this is on global television. And it has to do with the very top of the United States government. Our friends and enemies were all watching.I think the hug lacked dignity. It did not send a message of American power and forcefulness. So I fret about the reaction around the world to this kind of fraternity-like emotionalism in full public view. Why not just a dignified, stand-up, serious handshake? That’s what Reagan would have done. A strong handshake shows friendship, respect, and even affection. But a big fat hug seems to go over the line. Perhaps I’m overreacting to this….

    http://biggovernment.com/lkudlow/2010/10/03/a-hug-too-far-obama-emanuel-embrace-is-the-tip-of-the-weakness-iceburg/

    I mean, does Osama Bin Laden really track hugs as a sign of weakness? Did he really leap up in his cave and bellow: “Fuck yeah. A hug! I saw it! The Americans are definitely weaker than we thought!”?

    Any comments on frat-boys hugging and signs of weakness? Cole? Bueller?

  7. 7.

    MattR

    So, I think I am going to take the plunge and foster a cat. It seems like the best way to see how my dog and my allergies handle a feline addition.

  8. 8.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Susan Kitchens: I think Photo 1’s caption should be: Ceiling Cat showz unfurtunate infloonce of Basement Cat.

    Cheese is a beautiful boy, and what a heartwarming story. I would love to give those little black splotches kisses.

    @MattR: Sounds like a great idea! And, of course, pics are requested demanded.

  9. 9.

    morzer

    @MattR:

    If you do, don’t give the cat too much milk or fish. Many cats are unable to digest milk, and many are allergic to fish. Water is a much healthier thing for cats to drink. Just sayin’.

  10. 10.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    So, Sunday night I get off of work at 9, and I caught the 9:17 SB Caltrain at Palo Alto. However, the police had to be called for a rowdy passenger that I want to kick the fucking shit out of, because the train’s delay meant that I couldn’t catch the VTA light rail in Mountain View on time, so that meant being home 30 minutes late. And 30 minutes late doing laundry, and my roommate’s laundry just got done, so its 12:44 AM in Cali and I am just now, as in 10 seconds ago, going to finally be able to switch my laundry over to the dryer and be able to go to bed.

    Oh, and Monday I have a job interview, followed immediately by laser hair removal, then later in the night my Perl class at my local community college. Oh, I’m so tired.

  11. 11.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    @Amanda in the South Bay:

    The highlight of the next 24 hours will be taking Caltrain home after laser tomorrow and drinking my usual post-hair removal alcoholic beverage, enjoying the fact that Caltrain allows alcohol on board.

    Fuck, we’re only 52 minutes into Monday here in California. Fuck, its gonna be a long week.

  14. 14.

    Perfect Tommy

    Verizon Wireless said Sunday it will refund about 15 million of its customers $2-$6 because the company incorrectly charged them for accidentally hitting the web browser button on their cell phones.

    None of the stories I have seen mention the fact that all Verizon Wireless customers must now buy a minimum $10/mo data plan to “protect” them from this happening again.

  16. 16.

    Amir_Khalid

    @morzer: //You and I would think it entirely appropriate to hug an old friend in that situation. But remember, the plan is to depict everything Obama does, even the most personal of gestures, in the worst possible light. That’s why when he shows common courtesy to other heads of state and government, he is demeaning America with his craven capitulation; whereas George W. Bush pouncing on Angela Merkel’s neck like an unruly seven-year-old is a charming display of informality.

  17. 17.

    Tommy

    @stuckinred:
    My attempt to post two links has “Perfect Tommy” moderated as a spammer.

    Try Googling “Verizon manadtory data plan” and “Verizon Refund”

    Should give you all the info you need.

  18. 18.

    Keith G

    Cheese is quite a handsome guy. But in the last pic, He looks like he has finalized his plan for taking over this country and we are standing in his way.

  19. 19.

    comrade scott's agenda of rage

    There is something incredibly gratifying about “taming” a cat. I’ve worked with ferals and when you hit another level of trust with them, no matter how tiny, it’s a great feeling.

    Give Cheese a scritch for me.

  21. 21.

    Dog is My Co-Pilot

    Those are some wonderful pictures! He found you for a reason – he looks quite content.

  22. 22.

    JAHILL10

    Tuxedo kitties are always so handsome. He looks like quite the fellow. I am glad you rescued him!

    @WereBear: Too true. I feel the premature loss of my first cat something fierce and that was too many years ago to count on a Monday morning.

  23. 23.

    RedKitten

    Aww…poor, sweet kitty. Who knew that a squeaky cheeseburger could be so cute?

    You DO realize now, that you’re going to have to get him in a pose with an actual cheeseburger in order to satisfy all of the LOLcat fans here?

  24. 24.

    Ash Can

    That cat has personality to spare. What a cutie!

    @morzer: If one hug was enough to make Larry shit himself, it’s a good thing Rahm and Barack’s parting didn’t take place in one of those countries where people routinely kiss each other on the lips, and shed tears at occasions like this. He’d have developed dysentery on the spot.

  25. 25.

    Jon H

    You know the recurring wingnut argument that poor people aren’t poor because they have electronic goods that used to be expensive?

    Check out these well-off people who live in Manila. They have a TV, and a CD player. They even have access to a pool table.

    On the other hand, they live in a makeshift home built on top of a 5 level concrete mausoleum.

    Slideshow with audio:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11398704

  26. 26.

    Linda Featheringill

    @MattR:

    So, I think I am going to take the plunge and foster a cat. It seems like the best way to see how my dog and my allergies handle a feline addition.

    Hooray for Matt! Best of luck to you and the pup. I am proud of both of you!

  30. 30.

    SBJules

    What an adorable kittie. I “tamed” two kitties by tempting them with bologna some years ago. It’s a little known training method:)

  31. 31.

    schrodinger's cat

    OMG it ar a Kitler!
    Caption for the second photo
    I iz on Ur keyboard, withholding your productiviteh
    Seriously this is one cute kitteh, one of my kittehs also has a little kink in tail, a broken bone I think, he is skittish too. I wonder what kind of people think that abusing kittens and breaking their bones is funny.

  32. 32.

    Jane2

    What a handsome kitty! My rescue cat squeaks as well…good thing she has two designer cats who can do all the meowing for treats.

  33. 33.

    Aaron Baker

    He’s a handsome little fellow. He looks as if he could have come from the same litter as our kitty, Isis (named by my daughter, who loves all things Egyptian). Anyway, thanks for sharing him. It’s heartening to see that his story has become a happy one.

  36. 36.

    schrodinger's cat

    @WereBear: Yogi kitteh is a good old American short hair tabby boy. Was very scared of men when I first got him, especially ones with deep bass voices. I adopted him from my neighbor, who was giving him away because he terrorized her old geriatric cat. Yogi was about 6 months old when we got him. He is quite the jumper, very athletic. I lubs him!

  39. 39.

    Zuzu's Petals

    Hmm, ear tufts, fur between paw pads, squeaky voice…sounds like Cheese may be a Maine Coon, right Anne Laurie?

    BTW, my Maine Coon (may he rest in peace) also had a funny crooked tail.

  42. 42.

    Kay Shawn

    What a great lookin’ kitteh!
    That’s how we adopted our first stray—we called out to the guy, then the offered food was pulled gradually into the house, so that eventually Kitty had to come in to get it. Until we lost him a few years ago, he still came to us when we called, “Kitty!”

  45. 45.

    jayboat

    You people crack me up. (I’m talkin’ to you, Susan Kitchens!)

    Thanks to all of you for the nice comments.
    The lolcats haz nevah entered my mind re his name- well, you have changed that forever.

  46. 46.

    Shawn

    I had a rescued tuxedo squeeker myself for several years. In 2008, he got a little sick for a while and just when I thought I’d gotten him better, he got very sick and within a few days he was gone.

    My other cat doesn’t seem to miss him much but I miss him terribly, he was the sweetest cat monkey evah and looked so much like this Grease Monkey here.

    Kudos for rescuing him!

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